Edge guard



Nov. 20, 1 934. A, A. PARTNER EDGE GUARD Filed Nov. 16, 1933 Elnucnfcr 12/? l arln er Patented Nov. 20, 1934 STATES PATENT orFIcs EDGE GUARD Application November 16, 1933, Serial No. 698,368

' 2 Claims.

This invention relates to edge guards for use in connection with the packing of fruit and the like, and it is primarily an object of the invention to provide a guard of this kind for use in connectionwith a box or container having an intermediate dividing midwall and wherein the guard is so constructed to extend from one end wall of the box or container to the other without hinderance or obstruction being offered by the dividing midwall.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a guard of this kind which constitutes a separate unit and which is of such construction as to be maintained automatically by its own inherent stress in applied position.

The invention consists in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of several parts of my improved edge guard whereby certain important advantages are attained and the device rendered simpler, less expensive and otherwise more convenient and advantageous for use, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

The novel features of my invention will hereinafter be definitely claimed. v 1

In order that my invention may be the'better understood, I will now proceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein:-

Figure 1 is a view partly in section and partly in elevation illustrating an edge guard constructed in accordance with an embodiment of my invention in applied position;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary View in top plan of the assembly as illustrated in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a view in blank of the edge guard as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2;

Figure 4 is a view in blank of an edge guard constructed in accordance with a further embodiment of my invention;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary View in blank of a still further embodiment of the invention.

As disclosedin the accompanying drawing, B denotes a conventional type of box or container of a type having a substantiallylevel top such as used in the packing of fruit and more particularly citrous fruit and which in its construction includes the end walls 1 and a midwall 2 dividing the box or container into separate compartments. The box or container is also of a type wherein the midwall 2 in addition to extending down within the box also protrudes above the top edges of the box or container.

My improved edge guard G as illustrated in Figures 1 to 3 comprises an elongated flat band 3 having its extremities provided with the elongated ilaps 4, said flaps being separated from the band 3 by the transverse score lines 5 substantially at right angles to the flaps 4. The

band 3 is narrow and is disposed throughout its length. on an outbow and is the same width at all points from one endto the other.

The band 3 is of a length substantially equal to the distance between the end walls 1 of the box or container B and saidband is disposed on such curvature or are whereby when the upper corners a at the extremities of the band 3 are substantially flush with the upper edges of the end walls 1- the central portion of the band 3 will slightly extend above the upper edge of a side wall 6 of the box or container B so that when the guard G is in applied position adjacent to a side wall 6 no hinderance or obstruction is afforded by the midwall 2. Furthermore, the formation of the band 3 and more particularly the lower'edge line as herein referred to is of such shape that the midwall 2 offers no hinderance or obstruction to the initial application of the guard in Working position.

As illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 the midwall 2 extends slightly above the upper edge of each of the side walls 6 and, therefore, the guard G when applied will extend across the adjacent end face of the upwardly extended portion of the midwall 2 and if the side wall 6 is tight against the midwall 2 the central portion of this band 3 will rest from'above upon the upper edge of the side wall 6 or if the side wall 6-should be slightly spaced from the adjacent end of the wall 2, as is often the case, to provide a recess or opening facing away from the bottom of the box or container Bfthe central portion of this band 3 will not overlie a side wall 6 but will be free if necessary to slide down into such recess or opening. In view of this it is believed to be apparent that the lower edge line of the guard G is of such shape to permit and cause one side of the band 3 to engage the adjacent exposed end of the transverse member or midwall 2 with the other side of the band 3 engaging the inside face of the adjacent side wall 6 adjacent to the upper end corners of the side wall, as is believed to be clearly illustrated in Figure 1 of the accompanying drawing, whereby the guard G is automatically by its inherent stress maintained in applied position.

It is also believed to be apparent that the desired results are obtained in view of the fact that the construction of the guard is such that the lower margin line of the band 3 rises from the ends of the band toward substantially the center of the band in such a manner that when the outer corners of the band 3 are substantially flush with the upper edge of the side wall 6 the central portion of said lower line of the band 3 will be also substantially coplanar with the upper edge of the side wall 6 permitting said central portion to bend over the adjacent edge of the side wall 6 as particularly illustrated in Figure 2 of the accompanying drawing.

When the guard G is in applied position the flaps 4 are inwardly and laterally disposed for direct contact with the end walls 1 to assure the desired initial maintenance of the guard in applied or working position. These flaps 4 are exposed for contact with the lid of the box or container B when applied and the length of the flaps 4 is such that the contact therewith of the applied lid assures the effective maintenance of the guard within the completed package.

As is particularly illustrated in Figure 1, it is also to be noted that the curvature of the band 3 is such that when it is in applied position a material area at each end of the band has contact with the adjacent side wall 6 of the box or container B, said area being substantially right triangular and sufficient to allow the content of a compartment or chamber of the box or container B to have contact with such area to further maintain the guard in place.

In the embodiment of my invention as illustrated in Figure 4 the guard G comprises a flat band 3 relatively wide and which is provided with the end flaps 4'. This form of my guard is applied within a box in the same manner as hereinbefore explained in connection with the first embodiment of the invention. In order, however, that the guard when being applied and when applied will not be hindered or obstructed in any way by the midwall of the box or container, the central portion of the band 3 is reduced in diameter, as at '7, for a desired distance therealong, said reduction being inwardly from the inner or lower edge of the band 3' so that the outer or upper edge of the band will not be interrupted.

In Figure 5 the extension 4 has its upper portion intersected by a slit '7 with a transverse score line 5 extending from the inner portion of the slit '7 to the opposite margin of the strip or band 3 The flap 4 is adapted to be folded on the line 5 while the portion of the flap extension above the slit '7 constitutes a tab 8 which is preferably received within the upwardly opening pocket or recess between an end wall and side Wall of the box or container, or within a recess which opens in a direction away from the bottom of the box or container.

While in the claims reference is made to a separate paper unit, it is to be understood that the definition paper is intended to embrace or include any other sheet material possessing the same general qualifications to allow such other material being used.

From the foregoing description it is thought to be obvious that an edge guard constructed in accordance with my invention is particularly well adapted for use by reason of the convenience and facility with which it may be assembled and operated, and it will also be obvious that my invention is susceptible of some change and modification without departing from the principles and spirit thereof and for this reason I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the precise arrangement and formation of the several parts herein shown in carrying out my invention in practice except as hereinafter claimed.

I claim:-

1. In combination, a box having a substantially level top, a transverse vertical member between two opposite walls of the box and substantially medial thereof, said member engaging said walls and protruding above and below the top edges of said walls, a separate paper unit constituting aside guard, said unit having a length substantially equal to the length of the side wall of the box and having a lower edge line of such shape to permit and cause one side of the guard to engage the exposed end of the transverse member and the other side of the guard to engage the inside face of the side wall of the box adjacent to the upper end corners of said side wall.

2. In combination, a box having a substantially level top, a transverse vertical member between two opposite walls of the box and substantially medial thereof, said member engaging said walls and protruding above and below the top edges of said walls, a separate paper unit constituting a side guard, said unit having a length substantially equal to the length of the side wall of the box, the lower edge line of the guard rising from its opposite ends toward the center to bring the central portion of said lower edge line substantially coplanar with the upper loo 

